Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Air Pistols Spark Debate Over Women’s Safety and Self-Defence
Khushboo Patani suggested that women learn to use an air pistol for protection.
An air pistol uses compressed CO2 to push out a pellet instead of gunpowder.
She said one may cost about Rs 60,000–70,000.
Soumya Mishra warned that simply carrying a weapon does not guarantee safety.
Someone could take it away or it could be used incorrectly during panic.
She said women should first try to escape, call for help or raise an alarm.
People who carry a weapon need regular professional training and physical and mental readiness.
Duvva Pavan Kumar said some air weapons may not need a licence, depending on their technical specifications.
However, using one with too much or unjustified force can still create legal problems.
Former Army officer Khushboo Patani urged women to learn air-pistol use for self-defence.
Patani said the CO2-powered device costs about Rs 60,000–70,000 and requires shooting-range training.
Police official Soumya Mishra warned that inadequate training could lead to weapon snatching, misuse or legal trouble.
Advocate Duvva Pavan Kumar said some low-power air weapons may be exempt from licensing under the Arms Rules, 2016.
Experts stressed that escape, raising an alarm, regular practice and legal awareness should accompany any decision to carry an air pistol.
- Who
- Former Army officer Khushboo Patani, police official Soumya Mishra and advocate Duvva Pavan Kumar addressed the issue.
- What
- Patani recommended air-pistol training for women, while experts discussed its safety, training and legal risks.
- When
- Patani made the recommendation on Sunday; no specific date is given.
- Where
- Patani made the recommendation on Instagram, in the context of women’s safety in India.
- Why
- The suggestion seeks to give women another self-defence option, but it has prompted debate over whether weapons provide effective protection without training and legal awareness.
Support for Armed Preparedness
Caution About Weapon Reliance
Can an air pistol improve safety?
Support for Armed Preparedness
Khushboo Patani said women can buy an air pistol, train at a shooting range and use it to protect themselves without depending on others.
Caution About Weapon Reliance
Soumya Mishra said carrying a weapon without extensive training, regular practice and physical fitness may not provide safety and could create additional risks.
What should happen during an attack?
Support for Armed Preparedness
Supporters of the suggestion view weapon training as an additional way for women to respond to danger.
Caution About Weapon Reliance
Mishra advised prioritising avoidance, escape, raising an alarm and seeking help rather than confronting an attacker whenever possible.
Does licence exemption remove legal risk?
Support for Armed Preparedness
Some air pistols and other air weapons meeting specified technical limits may be exempt from licensing under the Arms Rules, 2016.
Caution About Weapon Reliance
Duvva Pavan Kumar said the circumstances of display or use still matter, and excessive or unjustified force can result in criminal charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
- Suggested device
- A CO2-powered air pistol that fires a pellet rather than using gunpowder or a conventional cartridge.
- Approximate cost
- Rs 60,000–70,000, according to Khushboo Patani.
- Training advice
- Professional instruction at a nearby shooting range, followed by regular practice.
- Main safety concern
- An inadequately trained carrier could face weapon snatching, mishandling or the weapon being used against her.
- Licensing framework
- Under the Arms Rules, 2016, certain air weapons at or below 20 joules and within prescribed bore limits are exempt from licensing.
- Self-defence law
- Sections 34–44 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 recognise private defence within legal limits.
- Potential liability
- Excessive or unjustified force may lead to criminal charges, including under Section 118.